国际英语新闻：Iran's former PM vows to improve ties with world

TEHRAN, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Iran's former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi on Saturday vowed to improve ties between Iran and the world if he is elected as president.

    "I have come to pursue constructive interaction and better relationship between Iran and the world," Mousavi told reporters after registering his candidacy for the 10th presidential race slated for June 12.

Iran's former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi holds a news conference after registering his presidential candidacy at the Interior Ministry for the June 12 presidential election in Tehran, capital of Iran, May 9, 2009

"The conditions today are not what we have expected (after Islamic Revolution in 1979)," he said, "I have come to restore Iran's power, dignity and character of Iranian nation."

    He also said that he has come to the election to pursue liberty of speech and thought.

    Mousavi served as the last prime minister of Iran from 1981 to 1989. He has called for freedom and fairness in the upcoming presidential election in his election campaign and has expressed dissatisfaction with Iran's media in campaign activities.

Iran's former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi shows his identity document at the registering center of the Interior Ministry in Tehran, capital of Iran, May 9, 2009

As a reformist politician, Mousavi has repeatedly criticized the incumbent government's economic policy which he called an alms-based one.

    So far, the four main candidates have all registered their candidacy to run for the presidency.

    Earlier on Saturday, former Parliament Speaker Mehdi Karroubi, another heavyweight reformist candidate, registered for the upcoming presidential election.

    The two prominent conservative candidates -- incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and former Revolutionary Guards chief Mohsen Rezaei -- formally registered their candidacy on Friday.

    Candidates can register their names with the Interior Ministry from May 5 to May 9.

    Iran's Guardians Council will finalize the name list of those who can run for the presidency after screening the registered candidates.